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- New rose collection features top performers
Traviata is an easy-growing hybrid tea that is included in the My Hometown Roses collection. Photo by Allen Owings
(03/15/16) HAMMOND, La. – March is rose time in Louisiana, and it’s a great month to plant new varieties, said LSU AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings.
Gardeners who are considering adding new roses this year should consider the new My Hometown Roses collection from Star Roses and Plants, Owings said.
This program includes premium roses for garden performance with varieties selected from regional top-performers based on trials throughout the United States. Trials in Louisiana were conducted at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station.
“This collection has varieties selected for six different growing regions in the country,” Owings said.
Many of the varieties in this new collection can be classified as “no spray” roses, which means regular applications of fungicide and insecticide, even in Louisiana, are not needed to ensure gardening success. They are being promoted as roses “that will feel at home in your garden” and “roses that will love where you live.”
The concept of My Hometown Roses is approachable, and varieties are selected for their flower form, color or fragrance, Owings said. At sales locations, roses in this program are grown and displayed in special printed pots and will have My Hometown Roses variety tags.
“We are fortunate in Louisiana to have many of our independent retail garden centers around the state carrying these varieties,” Owings said.
The My Hometown Roses varieties for the Southeast, including Louisiana and all adjoining states, are: Bolero, Cherry Parfait, Dee-Lish, Easter Basket, Eternal Flame, Francis Meilland, Honey Nectar, Milwaukee’s Calatrava, Mother of Pearl, Orchid Romance, Pink Flamingo, Raspberry Cream Twirl, Sunshine Daydream, Tahitian Treasure and Traviata.
Dee-List is the fragrant winner in the 2016 American Garden Rose Selections. Traviata is a winner in the LSU AgCenter/American Rose Society Easy Tea rose research trials, and Francis Meilland is the last of the All-America Rose Selections winners named in 2014.
Garden centers have great rose availability through midspring. “Plant some roses this spring to enjoy for the remainder of the year and for years to come,” Owings said.